| Geneva Study Bible But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? People's New Testament 12:48 Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? An allusion to his Divine character, which lifted him above the ordinary ties of the flesh. Wesley's Notes 12:48 And he answering, said - Our Lord's knowing why they came, sufficiently justifies his seeming disregard of them. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 12:46-50 Christ's preaching was plain, easy, and familiar, and suited to his hearers. His mother and brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him, when they should have been standing within, desiring to hear him. Frequently, those who are nearest to the means of knowledge and grace are most negligent. We are apt to neglect that which we think we may have any day, forgetting that to-morrow is not ours. We often meet with hinderances in our work from friends about us, and are taken off by care for the things of this life, from the concerns of our souls. Christ was so intent on his work, that no natural or other duty took him from it. Not that, under pretence of religion, we may be disrespectful to parents, or unkind to relations; but the lesser duty must stand by, while the greater is done. Let us cease from men, and cleave to Christ; let us look upon every Christian, in whatever condition of life, as the brother, sister, or mother of the Lord of glory; let us love, respect, and be kind to them, for his sake, and after his example. | 
